News Michael Hibbs comments on the Government's latest response to the Taylor Review

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Published: 07 February

Area of Law: Employment

Michael Hibbs comments on the Government's latest response to the Taylor Review

Commenting on the Government’s latest response to the Taylor Review, Michael Hibbs, head of employment law said:

“This response is just not good enough. If the Government doesn’t put more meat on the bones, then it will let employers, operators, workers and employees down who are crying out for more clarity.

Unfortunately, with Brexit dominating parliamentary time now, it is unlikely that we will see the problems associated with employee working rights change any time soon as the consultation is likely to take weeks or even months.

Working practices must now reflect the growing gig economy. They have to redress the balance of rights and responsibilities, as well as provide clearer distinctions between the various categories of the workforce.

Employers and employees alike would have liked the Government to take proactive action at this stage of the review. For example, there have been calls to remove the definition of “worker” altogether and instead create a clearer and wider definition of “employee”. As the definition of a worker has been unhelpful and unclear to date, many businesses - particularly those in the gig economy - have been wrongly labelling individuals as self-employed rather than “workers”. In doing so, employers open themselves up to costly litigation claims and employees are denied basic rights such as holiday entitlement and sick pay.

If a new business is looking to set up in the gig economy, they will still be unaware what they are facing and how to comply.”

"They are very professional, respond promptly, always discuss the monthly bill and have, so far, provided us with excellent advice in connection with employment issues. I have been very satisfied."

Andrew Argyle LLB, Practice Director, Potter Clarkson LLP

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